Maricich to address Michigan gathering

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 16, 2009

LANSING, Mich. — LANSING, Mich. — Bob Maricich, president and CEO of the World Market Center, will be the keynote speaker at the Home Furnishings Representatives of Michigan's 2009 All-Industry Seminar here Feb. 24.

With the theme, “We Can't Do It Alone,” the event also will feature speakers from the retail, rep and manufacturing sides of the industry.

The association says the seminar will aim to provide members of the industry with information and tools they will need to cope with the challenges they will face today and in the future. In addition to Maricich, speakers will include:

• Tom Lias, president of Detroit-area retailer Gorman's Home Furnishings and Interior Design.

• David Israels, general manager of retailer Israels Design for Living in Grand Rapids, Mich.

• Kathy Parks, executive director of the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn.

• Larry Kraft, president of Serta Restokraft Mattress Co., based in the Detroit area.

The event will take place at the Sheraton Lansing Hotel, 925 S. Creyts Road in Lansing. The cost is $20 in advance or $25 at the door, although if a rep or retailer brings a prospective HFRM member to the meeting, both the host and prospect will get in free. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Children's Hospital of Michigan.

Sign-in will begin at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 24 and the program will start at 2 p.m. A business social will follow at 5 p.m.

To register for the seminar or for more information, contact Julie Orr by e-mail at jorrfurn@aol.com or by phone at (586) 899-4869. Reservations must be received by Feb. 17.

To book a room at the Sheraton Lansing, contact the hotel at (517) 323-7100 and request the HFRM rate.